"
Ok, but how about an A/B test over a few weeks or even months. The point
is
that knowing which cable is used could change the results, with a £150
piece of wire you may subconsciously convince yourself of new details in
order to justify the purchase.


I agree for those that look at bucks = better will convince themselves.
However we all know this is not always true. One has to be open minded about
what one hears and the cables tested on a good range of recordings that will
give a full picture of the wire on test in the said system.

Howver a cable can only perform IMO to their best in the correct system so a
expensive cable could easily be outstriped by one thats very cheap but this
does not make the cheap one ideal.

I have often heard cables at cheaper prices sounding better than the more
expensive breathren and also with great justification heard more expensive
cables sounding better compared with their cheaper counterparts on
particular recordings through the same system.

This is why a double blind test is the standard measure for scientific
proof.

Well there is a Hi-Fi mag that uses this standard (or used to) and the panel
that sat in on these tests could not agree on what they heard from each
product.
So scientific or not it's a mockery.
Even Uri geller cant reproduce his wonders under labs test (if he has any of
course)

If one cable is noticeably better than the other you should
ultimately be able to say which is which.

I again agree but I do believe it's important to know the pieces of music
you listen to well and choose those pieces of music carefully so you
experience as much freq range to your ears as possible.

I sat in on a blind test having to jot down digital audio sources. We were
given 2 tracks for each source and then from what we heard make a decision
on which source was being played at that time. Since the music varied from
source to source and one was not very familiar with the chossen music it was
not easy. Needles to say I did not do very well. However from such test I do
feel that it would be wrong to make final judgements on how good/bad the
products were. Time speaks volumes.



An interesting one would be to wire twice, but with identical wire, and
tell the cable lover channel A cost 50p/m and B is some solid silver
affair
at £10/m. Then leave him to listen for a few days and see which he
preferred.

Hmm trust you asking for. For me that would be a difficult one to answer.
However if B for instance did sound better to some it would have to be
quantified how it sounded better over A. If they could not do this then they
would have to say B is no better than A.

I'd bet more than 80% say A.

Of course theres always a percentage of plebs. But I reckon it would be more
the uninitiated new to Hi-Fi who make the mistake.
However without a genuine test its hearsay.

Of course, you'd have to cover up
the amplifier terminals and check for peeking!



Blast!! :-)